How Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) Are Changing Global Industries

Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) have revolutionized many different sectors, including healthcare, logistics, retail, manufacturing industries and more. This real-time tracking and monitoring technology is used to locate objects and people with advanced accuracy and speed. A real-time location system does not simply hold potential, it is gradually revolutionizing how businesses function all over the world. In this blog we delve into how these systems work and how they can be used to achieve a competitive advantage, operational efficiency and a superior consumer experience.

What is RTLS & How Do Real Time Location Systems Work?

RTLS refer to hardware, software and technologies that track and monitor people or objects in real-time. These systems use tags, sensors and receivers to identify the spatial coordinates of tagged objects within a specific area. Depending on the degree of accuracy and usage, RTLS technology can use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), infrared, or Global Positioning System (GPS). The most obvious benefit of RTLS is real-time location information, which is vital for many industrial processes and safety concerns.

RTLS Architecture and Components

It is important to be familiar with the framework and elements of RTLS to understand how real time location systems work and how they offer accurate location information in various settings. RTLS architecture involves several components that interact to offer real-time tracking with high precision.

1. Tags and Sensors: 

The heart of any real-time location system is the tags and sensors that are affixed to assets, people, or vehicles. Tags can be classified into two main types: active and passive. Active tags are self-powered by a battery. They generate signals over a larger distance than passive ones and are more accurate. These are typically employed where the monitoring needs to be accurate, such as in health manufacturing industries. Passive tags do not contain a power supply and depend on energy from a reader to amplify their signals. They are popular in situations where costs are high, or range requirements are small, like in retail inventory control.

2. Communication Protocols: 

Different tags, sensors and receivers communicate through different protocols that have some benefits and are suitable for different applications. For instance, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) has high accuracy and is suitable for areas where an accuracy of a centimeter is desired. RFID is employed for tracking goods, particularly in the supply chain, since it is cheap to implement as compared to other identification systems. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is commonly used where power usage is a big issue, for instance, in wearables and small sensors.

3. Receivers and Anchors: 

Tags are implanted at particular locations within an environment and receivers, also called anchors, are used to detect signals that the tags release. These anchors require placement and the number needed to achieve the right level of accuracy as well as the coverage area. The anchors analyze the signal strength, time of flight, or angle of arrival to accurately pinpoint the respective positions of the tags. Depending on the type of implantation, the anchors can be wired or even wirelessly connected. The data is transferred to an additional unit for processing.

4. Data Processing Units: 

The data is collected by the receivers and transmitted to a central processing unit or server in real-time. This involves creating algorithms that help position the tags by processing the signals received in a triangular manner. The data processing units have to be strong enough to be able to process a large amount of data in order to provide real-time tracking with minimal delays. Some of the latest and most complex RTLS solutions employ edge computing, where data analysis takes place near the data source, hence minimizing the time it takes to transmit data to the user.

5. Software and User Interface: 

The last layer of the RTLS architecture is software. Software is used as a platform for entering data to control and monitor the chosen system. This software then feeds the processed data back to a dashboard depicting the current location of assets, people or vehicles. It is also used to raise alarms, create reports and facilitate compatibility with other enterprise applications like ERP.

This architecture helps RTLS solutions to be versatile; the infrastructure can support varied applications in various industries. Since RTLS components are versatile, it is possible to design varying systems to suit unique requirements. For instance, a manufacturing plant that requires precise location data can take the necessary measures to ensure that level of precision. Alternatively, a large warehouse with vast space coverage could arrange the provision of such coverage in the best way possible.

Top Industries Using RTLS Technology

1. Healthcare

With RTLS tech in the health sector, patient care, fixed assets and process control are set to experience a significant overhaul. Healthcare facilities are integrating RTLS solutions to track essential medical instruments, manage the movement of patients and maintain personnel security. For example, tracking the location of wheelchairs, infusion pumps and ventilators will help shorten the time taken to assist patients. Also, RTLS helps improve infection control as it monitors patient and staff movements and enables fast recognition of contamination sources. Continued advancements in healthcare RTLS are predicted to enhance EHR compatibility and predictive analysis, implying greater efficiency in healthcare.

2. Manufacturing

Manufacturing is another sector that has felt the effects of RTLS solutions being implemented in the industry. In the manufacturing sector RTLS technology helps track WIP, evaluate assembly line performance and efficiently manage resources. Besides providing material and products data, an RTLS can identify congestion points and time losses, thereby improving production flow.

In the same way, with such a system, the arrival of various components is facilitated at the right time, which cuts unnecessary expenditure on inventory and leads to just-in-time production. Thus, in the manufacturing sector, further enhancements of RTLS could include even more automation and connectivity to other applications of Industry 4.0 technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence.

3. Logistics and Supply Chain

One of the first sectors that has incorporated RTLS solutions is logistics and supply chain: the technology has been used to track the movement of assets and cargo, manage warehouses and enhance supply chain transparency. Using RTLS technology and real-time location data from RTLS solutions, companies can easily track their shipment and know its location at any given time, thus eliminating cases of theft, loss, or delay.

This real-time location system visibility also has the benefit of improved inventory management since it can identify when inventory is too high or not sufficient. More specifically, in warehouses, RTLS can help track forklifts and pallets, better allocate the racks and shelves and save time to find the items. The predicted development of RTLS technology in the logistics industry will be dedicated to self-driving vehicles as well as unmanned aerial vehicles to integrate more sophisticated and efficient supply chain capabilities in the future.

4. Retail

In the retail industry, RTLS technology is playing a major role in changing the organizations’ working efficiency and customer relationships. Stores are employing RTLS solutions to monitor the behaviour of customers inside the store and allow personalized advertising and better customer experience. For instance, RTLS tech can be applied to alert the customer’s smart device that he is in the store and is making a promotional offer that has a tendency to convince them to buy something.

Thirdly, by using RTLS, retail stores are able to control and track their inventory levels and product locations in real-time. This real-time location system leads to minimal out-of-stock conditions and ensures that popular products are always on the shelf for customers to compete. This only means that as the future of the real time location system unveils itself, integration with mobile payment systems, as well as the implementation of artificial intelligence in analyzing the data, will pave the way for retailers to create better shopping experiences for their consumers.

5. Transportation and Logistics

The transportation and logistics sector, in particular, has benefited from RTLS tech in that it is dependent on the management of time in the movement and passing of goods. RTLS solutions enable companies to improve specific logistics aspects such as traffic control, reduction of fuel consumption and improving delivery times by accurately tracking the location of vehicles, containers and cargo.

For example, using RTLS, drivers gain information on traffic situations and avoid problematic zones or choose other roads. Besides expediting deliveries, it also decreases transportation costs and thus keeps a check on the negative impact on the environment. Besides, the real-time location system helps cut operational costs by providing visibility in the location of the various shipments, especially high-value ones and being able to promptly address any security threats. Thus, it can be concluded that the development of RTLS technology in transportation is likely to introduce auto-transport vehicles and AI-based logistics planning in the in transportation.

6. Aviation

In today’s aviation business environment, RTLS solutions are used in the management of the industry’s operations. Some organizations within the airport and airline industry are implementing RTLS to track the position of the plane, baggage and GSE in real-time. This assists in managing time better and in cutting down on turnaround time when managing the airport, amongst other gains. For instance, through RTLS, it is possible to monitor the locations of baggage carts and ground support equipment that will help facilitate their availability in due time to avert the occurrence of delays.

On the same note, RTLS technology may enhance passenger experience and satisfaction by allowing them to access real-time information on their flights’ status, gate changes, baggage location and others. With the absorbing growth of the aviation industry, the prospects of the future of real time location systems will include their closer connection with Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things, thus providing clients with much better customized and improved services in the future.

7. Mining and Oil & Gas

The mining, oil and gas sectors are perhaps the most complex in integrating RTLS technology, yet the advantages derived from it are significant. In RTLS solutions, location information of workers, vehicles and equipment is captured in real-time to improve safety in dangerous areas and operating efficiency. For instance, with RTLS, miners’ underground movement can be monitored to establish whether or not they are safe and if they are trapped, their location can be identified easily. In the oil & gas industry, RTLS technology is used for the tracking of mobile drilling equipment and knowing the status of these operations.

Furthermore, RTLS can help in the management of the movement of dangerous products to minimize the likelihood of an incident and to meet the requirements for the safe handling of such products as provided by the law. In the future to meet rising standards for safety and efficiency across these industries, RTLS will likely depend on higher levels of integration and durability of RTLS technology in harsh settings.

8. Hospitality

RTLS technology is being utilized by hospitality businesses with the aim of increasing guest satisfaction levels while improving business performance. It is used in hotels and resorts to locate people and assets in real-time, including staff members, guests and other items. It helps them be more client-oriented by providing faster services such as room service or guaranteeing that cleaning services are available when required.

Further, RTLS technology may also be applied for security needs by tracking the movement of guests or personnel within the property, thereby preventing exposure of certain areas to non-allowable people. Therefore, it could be predicted that the future of real time location systems in hospitality will be even closer connected with applications on the guest’s mobile devices as well as with IoT gadgets, which will allow hotels to provide their clients with an even more tailored experience.

9. Agriculture

Real-time location system solutions are gradually being embraced in agriculture as they are being used by farmers and all agribusinesses to improve their efficiency. RTLS help farmers monitor the location of the animals, the equipment used and the employees in real-time, which makes it easier for the farmers to monitor the health of their animals as well as the usage of the equipment.

For example, RTLS can be used to monitor the location of tractors and other types of farming machinery to determine that they are being utilized properly and are not out of service for a particularly long time. Also, using RTLS technology, it is possible to track the location of livestock and whether they are well cared for. Even though agriculture is one of the most promising fields for RTLS technology development, future Real Time Location Systems trends are expected to go even deeper in connecting the systems with IoT devices and AI-driven analytics for even more effective and sustainable agriculture.

Data Security and Privacy in RTLS

With RTLS technology being adopted widely, especially in communication-critical business processes, the security and privacy of the data generated by Real Time Location Systems have become major issues. Basically, RTLS systems monitor a lot of exclusive data like the whereabouts of people, valuables, or even specific products. Security of this data and legal requirements for privacy are critical so as not to lose clients’ trust and protect against breaches of rights.

Data Encryption

There are several ways to protect RTLS data and one of the most widely used methods is encryption. Information can be secured with AES to ensure the security of the tags, sensors, receivers and the central processing unit. This makes the data difficult to decipher if intercepted during transfer through the internet because it requires a decryption code to open such data. This normally involves securing the overall data from the time that was generated by the tag all through to the ultimate processing and storing location.

Secure Communication Channels

In addition, only authorized personnel have access to the information entering the real-time location system due to the implementation of encrypted communication techniques. Currently accepted RTLS solutions for building secure channels include Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Socket Layer (SSL). These protocols assist in preventing man-in-the-middle attacks where a third party may seek to make manipulations on some of the data that passes through the different components of the real-time location system.

Access Control and Authentication

Proprietary control measures are also necessary for an optimal real-time location system security standard; hence, access to the system is controlled by authorized personnel only. Strong authentication, such as Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and segregation of duties through role-based access control (RBAC), is used to introduce an extra layer of protection. The MFA involves demanding several modes of identification before allowing access, while the RBAC approach confines accesses according to an employee’s position within an organization to nodes and functionality that correspond to an employee function.

Compliance with Data Privacy Regulations

Another aspect that must be taken into consideration for RTLS deployments is data privacy regulation, whether it is GDPR in Europe or CCPA in the United States. These regulations establish specific requirements for the proper collection, processing and storage of personal data. For example, under GDPR, an organization is prohibited from sharing the location data of a person unless they have the express permission of the individual; secondly, an organization should afford people the ability to alter, update, or erase their information.

Aside from compliance with legal requirements, there are certain ethical concerns that go along with using RTLS technology, particularly when the human body is the object of monitoring. Increased efficiency and visibility to essential organizational metrics come as an advantage of Real Time Location Systems but, at the same time, respect individual privacy. Employers and businesses must inform their employees and customers how they are going to use the data collected and how it is going to be preserved. Also, anonymization, which involves disguising the identity of some entities or replacing their true identities with pseudonyms, can be effective in preserving privacy while opening up new uses for RTLS to support operations.

With the development of RTLS, security threats are lurking to harm the system and organization, so organizations have to be aware of these threats and need to install security measures to protect the system. The introduction of AI and ML into RTLS can also help in improving the level of security by finding out results for possible breaches in real-time.

Integration of RTLS with Other Technologies

Real Time Location Systems, or RTLS solutions, are not stand-alone technology; they are discovered at their best when combined with other sophisticated systems and tools. This section may discuss how RTLS can complement IoT, AI and big data techniques to help improve its performance and spur creativity.

By feeding more data to the RTLS technology system, IoT devices can improve tracking and management and enable further localization. Examine the function of AI in handling all this data elicited from RTLS and transforming them into analytical data for predictive analysis and proper decision-making. Further, examine the possibilities of integration with ERP and CRM systems for a better perception of operations and customers.

Conclusion

Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) are set to expand their market significance and application in the future throughout numerous industries. The future of real time location system technology is bright, with the RTLS market size estimated to reach USD 16.2 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 25.5%. RTLS solutions developed for various verticals like healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and retail are emerging as powerful tools for businesses as they help them gain visibility over real-time data, transform operations at every level and deliver exceptional customer experience.

Further improvement in RTLS can be predicted through the appearance of more sophisticated and reliable RTLS solutions for difficult ENVs and the integration of RTLS technology with new technologies like AI, IoT and AVs. By learning every detail of Real Time Location Systems work and using RTLS solutions, companies are capable of outpacing competitors and are ready to grow further in a progressively complex and challenging global environment.

If you want to learn more about RLTS, you will want to read our blog What is RTLS? How does it Work and What are its Applications? and watch our video Explore Mapsted’s Location Based Technology Solutions for Forward-Thinking Businesses.